[ad_1] US President Joe Biden has said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is close and hoped to see one materialise by “the end
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US President Joe Biden has said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is close and hoped to see one materialise by “the end of the weekend”.
The seemingly casual comments, carrying massive geopolitical significance, came during the president’s stop at a Van Leeuwen ice cream parlour near in New York City, where he had just wrapped up an interview with talk show hoist Seth Meyers on his Late Night program, reports Fox News.
But his discussion of foreign policy while eating some soft scoop raised eyebrows.
Commentator Piers Morgan said it was “inappropriate”.
“Eating an ice cream as you discuss a possible ceasefire in Gaza is so inappropriate,” he said.
Libetarian commentator Clay Travis said it was “insane tone deafness”.
Others pointed out that there was a gaggle of reporters with the President in the ice cram shop which, as they are prone to do, asked him questions on current issues.
Asked when he expected the ceasefire to begin, Mr Biden, with a mint ice cream cone in hand, said he hoped by at least “the end of the weekend”.
“At least, my national security adviser tells me that we’re close. We’re close. It’s not done yet,” Mr Biden said.
“And my hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire.”
Mr Biden also spoke about his planned trip to the US-Mexico border this Thursday where he will meet with border agents and discuss the need for bipartisan legislation.
Mr Biden joked that “my good friend” would be making a southern border stop as well, a subtle nod to Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.
The President’s border visit comes after the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia, last week allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant. Her murder has reinvigorated calls for Mr Biden to take more stringent border measures.
The stop in Van Leeuwen came after a taped interview with Meyers, where dozens of pro-Palestinian activists were arrested for demonstrating in the lobby.
Negotiations are underway for a weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to allow for the release of hostages being held in Gaza by the Iranian-backed terrorist group in return for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The proposed six-week pause in fighting would also include allowing hundreds of trucks to deliver desperately needed aid into Gaza every day.
Negotiators face an unofficial deadline of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan around March 10, a period that often sees heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
With AP and Fox News.
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